Dunbar trick-or-treating set for Oct. 31

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Trick-or-treating will be held in Dunbar on Oct. 31 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., City Manager Hugh Leishman said.

Dunbar Mayor Jack Yeager said children and their parents or guardians could go door-to-door during trick-or-treat hours.

Also during the City Council meeting Monday evening, Dunbar Police Chief Earl Whittington reminded everyone that Friday would be the deadline for new officer applications.

Whittington announced during a Sept. 30 meeting that the department needs 15 officers on staff, but currently only has 14. Two of those officers are off on temporary disability and probably will not return to work, he said.

The department is looking to hire one more officer, Leishman said.

"We're particularly looking for minority and female officers," Yeager said during that meeting.

City officials have scheduled a qualification test on Oct. 29 for potential officer candidates.

The department also received grant money to purchase nine bulletproof vests, Yeager said.

The second reading of an ordinance to collect fees for fire and police utilities also passed, Yeager said.

The ordinance would allow the city to collect utility fees on businesses that have not paid, he said.

There are a certain number of people who don't pay the fee every year, he said. The ordinance would give the city some additional leverage to collect the fees, he said.